The Gupta Empire Flashcards
Which Kingdoms have come to an End by the End of third century
Kushanas in the North
Satvahanas in the Deccan
Who are the Rulers of Gupta Empire
Chandragupta 1 (AD 320 - 335) - Maharajadhiraja
Samudragupta (AD 335 - 375)
Chandragupta 2 (AD 380 - 414)
Kumargupta 1 Maheraditya (AD 415 - 455)
Skandagupta VIkramaditya (AD 455 - 467)
Family of Chandragupta I
Grandfather - Sri Gupta
Father - Ghototkacha
Wife - Kumaradevi (Lichhavi Princess)
Chandragupta I Empire Extended in which area
Magadh, modern Bihar, Oudh, Prayag (Allahabad), Tirhent
What is the Source of Reign of Samudragupta
Inscription on Allahabad Pillar or Prayag Prashasti
Prashasti was composed by Samudragupta’s court poet Harisena (account of the conquests)
Harisensa also described Samudragupta as the ‘Hero of a Hundred Battles
Chandragupta II married to the which princess
Prabhavati (Vakataka princess - ritual ruler)
Which Kingdoms Chandragupta II Conquered
Western Malwa and Gujarat
which had been under the rule
of the Saka Kshatrapas for about four centuries by that time
The Second Capital of Empire during Chandragupta II
Ujjain (Chief city of Malwa)
Which Tribe has Seriously menaced the Gupta Empire during Kumargupta I
Pushyamitra (uncertain identity)
Which King has get victory upon ongoing war with Pushyamitra
Skandagupta Vikramaditya
Which Kingdom Invaded Gupta Empire during Skandagupta Vikramaditya
“Hunas”
Defeated by Vikramaditya
The decline of the empire began soon after his death
The Hunas later became the rulers
of Punjab and Kashmir.
Reasons for Declination of Gupta Empire
Their rule lasted till the middle of the sixth century A.D.
(i) invasion by the Hunas,
(ii) rise in feudalism,
(iii) weak successors,
(iv) financial difficulties,
(v) decline of foreign trade, and
(vi) absence of large professional army to maintain vast
empire.
The Revenue of Gupta Empire come from
Eighteen Types of Taxes are Levied
(i)Baga - Land Revenue
(ii)buffalo milk, curd, fruits and flowers. (known from the inscription of Pallavas and Vakatakas)
(iii)forests, meadows and salt mines (income of the state)
How the Administration of Gupta Empire is Divided
“Bhuktis” (under the charge of an uparika)
Bhuktis were divided into districts (vishayas)
“Vishayas” (under the charge of vishyapati)
“vishyas” were divided into “vithis”
What are the Trades of Gupta Empire
ship-building industry was at peak.
Tamralipti, a port in Bengal
(trade was carried on with the eastern countries like China, Ceylon, Java and Sumatra.)
Tondai - famous port of Chola state.
Kalyana, Chol, Broach and Cambay were the important ports of the South.
The Most Important officers of Gupta Empire
“kumaramatyas” (emperor’s personal staff and assisted the princes)
Religious functionaries were
granted land called during Gupta age is
“Agrahara”
Name the Important Officials at the Central Level of Gupta Empire
(i) Mahabaladhikrita – Commander-in-Chief
(ii) Mahadanayak – Chief justice
(iii) Mahapratihar –An official to maintain the
royal palace.
(iv) Mahasandhivigrahak – An official for post-war
conciliation
Or Sandhivigrahak
(v) Dandapashika – Head of the police department
(vi) Bhandagaradhikreta – Head of the royal treasury
(vii) Mahapaksha-Patalik – Head of the account department
(viii) Vinaysthitisansathapak – Head of the education department
(ix) Sarvadhyaksha – Inspector for the all central
departments
(x) Mahashwapati – Controller of cavalry.
(xi) Mahamahipilapati – Controller and executor of
elephantry.
(xii) Vinaypura – Official to present different
guests at king’s court
(xiii) Yuktapurusha – Office to keep account of war
booty
(xiv) Khadyatpakika – Inspector of royal kitchen
(xv) Ranabhandagarika – Officer-in-charge of army stores
(xvi) Mahanarpati – Head of foot soldiers (infantry)
What is the ‘Golden Age of Ancient India’
“Gupta Age”
Most remarkable rock-cut architecture are found in
Ajanta, Ellora, Aurangabad (Hyderabad) and Bagh (Central India).
The Shrines of the Gupta Age
“Udaygiri” series of shrines near Bhilsa in Bhopal state.
‘Rock-cut Brahmanical’ shrines are to be found at Badami in the Bijapur district.
“Jaina caves” are to be found at Badami as also at Aihole.
Gupta age Art & Paintings
“terra-cotta” (became more popular than stone sculpture.)
Best painting found on the walls of the
Ajanta caves,
Bagh cave in Gwalior,
Settannavasal temple at Puddukkottai and at Badami
The main theme of Gupta painters
Incidents of life of Buddha
The Painting ‘Dying Princess’ in one Ajanta cave has earned the admiration of
Burgress, Fergussion, Griffiths and many others
The iron pillar at Delhi made at
time of
Samudragupta
Important Literary works during the Gupata period
- Raghuwansa, Ritusamhara, Meghaduta – Kalidasa
- Ravanabodha – Batsabhatti
- Kavyadarshana and Dasakumarcharita – Dandin
- Kiratarjuniyam – Bharavi
- Nitishataka – Bhartahari
Dramas of the Gupta Period
- Vikramovarshiya, Malvikagnimitra and
- Abhijnanasakuntalam – Kalidasa
Mrichchakatika – Sudaraka - Swapnavasavadatta, Charudatta and
Pratignayaugandharayana – Bhasa - Mudrarakshasa and Devichandraguptam – Visakhadatta
Eulogy of the Gupta period
Pryag-Prasasti – Harisena
Philosophical works of Gupta period
- Sankhyakarika (base on Sankhya philosophy) – Ishwar Krishna
- Padartha Dharmasangraha (based on Vaisheshika Philosophy) - Acharya Prashastipada
- Vyasa Bhasya (based on Yoga philosophy) – Acharya Vyasa
- Nyaya Bhasya (on Nyaya philosophy) – Vatsyayana
Religious works of Gupta period
The two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Grammar of Gupta period
- Amarakosha – Amarsimha
- Chandravyakarana – Chandragomin
- Kavyadarsha – Dandin
Narrative story of Gupta period
Panchatantra and Hitopadesha – Vishnu Sharma
Smritis of Gupta period
Vaynavalkyasmriti,Parasharsmriti,Brihspatismriti, Naradasmriti and Katyayanasmriti
Mathematics and Astronomy of Gupta period
- Aryabhattiya, Dashjitikasutra and – Aryabhatta
- Aryashtashata – Varahmihira
- Brihatsamhita and Panchasidhantika
Brahmasidhanata – Brahmagupta
Miscellaneous Works of Gupta period
- Nitisastra – Kamandaka
- Kamsutra – Vatsayana
- Kavyalankara – Bhamah
- ‘Dashpadarthastra’ - Dingnaga Chandra
- Romaka Sidhanta - Astronomy book
- Suryasidhanta Brahmagupta - Algebra used in 7th century A.D
- Astanghridaya - Vrihad Vagabhatta, a well-known physician, guided by the work of Charaka,
What are the Kalidasa gems of Sanskrit poetry.
Two Mahakavyas, “Raghuvamsa” and “Kamarasambhava” and the
lyrical poem “Meghaduta”
When did the decimal system was known in India
Gupta inscription of Allhabad
suggests beginning of the fifth century A.D
Who is person first to use the decimal system
Aryabhatta
formulated
1. value of pie (π)
2. Area of triangle
3. origin of trigonometry
4. Use of Zero
Iron Pillar found at Mehrauli in Delhi eracted by
Kumaraagupta (in fourth century AD)
Two great Physicians of Gupta period
Sushruta and Charak
Charaka is considered to be the father of Indian Medicine
Sushruta Samhita describes the methods of
operating cataracts, stone diseases and various other ailments